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A Fly Shop, Fly Fishing School and a source of information about fly fishing in East Tennessee, Western North Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Little River Outfitters has been serving fly fishing anglers who visit the Great Smoky Mountains, East Tennessee and Western North Carolina since 1994. We are also the "home fly shop" to thousands of fishermen who live in the area. East Tennessee and Western North Carolina are blessed with several thousand miles of rivers and streams and hundreds of thousands of acres of public land set aside as National Forests and a National Park. This region is a fly fishing paradise.

There are over 800 miles of fishable trout streams in Great Smoky Mountains National Park alone. The Park, 500,000 acres in total, lies in both Tennessee and North Carolina. A fishing license from either State is all you need to be a legal angler in the Park. Here you will find mountain streams with populations of rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout. Just outside the Park in the rivers exiting the Smokies you will also experience excellent smallmouth bass fishing.

Additionally, the Tennessee River watershed provides lakes, tailwaters, freestone mountain streams and lowland rivers with some of the finest fly fishing for brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, stripers and panfish found anywhere. It is our job and passion to help you in any way to enjoy this huge resource that is available to the fly angler. And there are many fly fishing opportunities to choose from. Townsend, Tennessee is the perfect base camp for your fly fishing vacation. And we are here for you.

Fly fishing in the Smoky Mountains is very good. You will do best in the afternoons. The water temperatures are good and getting better. Flows are excellent. Nymphs or dries will work. Try both using a dry and dropper.

Nestled in the foothills of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Townsend, Tennessee is a family owned fly shop and school that has become a landmark in the fly fishing world. Little River Outfitters was founded to serve anglers who visit the National Park to fly fish. There is no stocking of trout in the Park and you will find only wild rainbow, brown and brook trout throughout the watersheds within. As anglers became friends with the shop they began ordering their tackle. The staff learned how to fish in saltwater and warmwater and customers relied on the staff to rig their tackle for any species they were fishing for. The strength of the shop is the staff. We employ people who all love to fly fish and take care of angling customers.

To keep up with demand we designed and maintain this website so customers can order online and learn more about us and this area. This website project is all designed and maintained in house. It is updated every day. One of the most popular features you will find is the Message Board. Our members have posted a huge amount of information and chat about fishing in the Smokies, in Tennessee and throughout the United States. You can gain a lot of knowledge by reading the forums and participate yourself. Just ask questions and you'll get several answers. Another popular feature is the Fishing Report. It is written and updated every day. The Online Store is easy to navigate and it's full of fly fishing tackle and accessories. And, we have become known for our Beginner Fly Fishing School. Hundreds of students get their start in this sport at our school every year. We started in 1994 in a 600 square foot store. We have grown to our own 7,000 square foot facility.

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Little River Outfitters School of Fly Fishing

We decided in the mid 1990’s to start teaching fly fishing and fly tying. In those days fly fishing education options were limited. At that time we were located in another building so we rented some space next door and built a classroom. When we built our own building we included a classroom in it as well. Several of us attended the Joan Wulff Fly Fishing Instructors School in New York. That got us started with the beginner fly fishing classes.

To this day we still offer classes two weekends each month from March through October except during the month of August. Learn More about our Beginner Fly Fishing Classes. We saw a need and developed a fly tying school consisting of three levels, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. We designed and printed our own books that guide the students through each step of the process. These classes are held from November through February on Saturdays. Each class lasts a full day.

Dr. Brad Cook, professor of biology and Tennessee Technological Institute is a aquatic entomology expert and avid fly fisherman. Several years ago, Brad started teaching an Aquatic Entomology For Anglers class at our school. It was a huge success. If you want to learn more about fly fishing, aquatic entomology or tying flies, Little River Outfitters is a good place to begin your journey.

We only sell fly fishing tackle from all the finest brands available in all price ranges. Our mail order service is simple, you can find what you want on our online catalog and buy online or call 865-448-9459. We don’t charge for ground shipping on any fly fishing related merchandise. We also have an extensive fly tying department. Though many of these products don’t currently appear on our website you may call us and we’ll ship you anything we sell. We sell Gift Cards Online or at the shop. They can be redeemed online, over the phone or at the shop. We want you to be happy. If you are not satisfied with anything you purchase from us send it back for a refund or exchange.

If you need personal assistance we are just a phone call away. Call 865-448-9459 and ask about the fishing conditions, where to stay in Townsend or ask technical questions about tackle. We sell almost everything made for a 1 weight to a 12 weight and we know how to rig them for the species you are fishing for, no matter where you are going to fish. We sell tackle in all price ranges too. We're not going to push you into something you can't afford. We've got a vast selection from the best rods and reels made to the less expensive tackle that works well if you are on a budget. And we don't shy away from beginners. We built our reputation by working with beginners and that is the foundation of our business.

More about our Store

Little River Outfitters is owned by Paula & Byron Begley and Daniel Drake. The 7,000 square foot store is stocked with almost everything a fly angler or fly tyer could ever want. We specialize in trout, saltwater, salmon and bass fly-fishing and sell the tackle and gear for those species.

Our Fly Shop and Online Store are stocked with a complete selection of anything you could want or need for the sport of fly fishing. Our fly rod selection is vast. You can find our offering in our online store. You can purchase fly rods in all different price categories at our Online Store Rod Department. We represent several rod companies including Orvis, R.L. Winston, Sage, St Croix, Temple Fork and we also sell entry level outfits.

We love fly reels and we like selling them. And we stock fly reels in every price range and for every purpose from fishing for bluegill to angling for tarpon. Here you can buy a reel costing $59 or another for $600 and everything in between. Our brands include, Orvis, and Waterworks Lamson.

Fly Lines are one of your most important components of the fly fishing outfit. Selection is critical depending on the kind of fly fishing you are preparing to do. We know which fly lines will be best for you within your budget. Our Fly Line Department features brands from Orvis, Rio and Scientific Anglers.

Two of our most important departments are Waders and Wading Boots. Our selection includes all price points and plenty of sizes to choose from. We sell waders manufactured by Chota, Orvis and Simms. Our Wading Boot Department features Chota, Orvis and Simms. Don't forget to check out our Wading Accessories Department. You will find many useful items there.

One of our largest is the Fishpond Department. Here you will find fly fishing and travel accessories designed wih the angler in mind with an emphasis on quality and uniqueness. Fishpond has a passion for stretching the boundaries of traditional product design.